Apparatus for producing powerful electrical oscillations.



G. SEIBT. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCiNG POWERFUL ELECTRICAL OSCILLATlON S- Allllllllllllllll EC. 222222 9. 1,216,615, Patented Feb. 20,1917 f 4 asac in 1.

[TS-SH G. SEIBT.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POWERFUL ELECTRIGALOSCILLATIONS. APPLICATIONFILED 050.21.1909.

1,216,615. Patented Feb. 20,1917.

. 3 SHEETS-SHFET 2.

4 2/ 5/ 4] 5 A T\\ g 2 j 21% 55 III G. SEIBT.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POWERFUL ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED 050.27. I909.

1 ,21 6,6 1 5 Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. j

GEORGE SEIBT, OF NEW YOZRIK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, IBY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOATLANTIC COMMUNICATION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POWERFUL ELECTRICAL OSCILLATIONS.

7 '0 all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, GEORGE SEIBT, a subject of the Emperor of Germany,residing at New York, in the-county. and State of New York, have made acertain new and useful Invention in Apparatus for 'Producand finallypointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in diagram illustrating certainarrangements including a primary oscillating circuit and a secondaryoscillating circuit coupled thereto, for explaining the principlesinvolved in my invention.

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, are oscillation or wave diagrams. I

Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12 13 and 14:, are views showing variousarrangements of electrodes and spark gaps adapted for use in attainingthe objects and purposes of my invention.

Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18, are circuit diagrams showing variousarrangements for carrying my invention into practical operation.

Fig. 19 shows an arrangement for charging the condensers in parallel anddischarging them in series in connection with an operative embodiment ofmyinvention.

Fig. 20 is a view showing the application of a three phase alternating'currentgener- 'ator employed to charge the condensers.

In Fig. 1 M is a source of current, in this case an alternating currentgenerator, though limited or restricted. Where an alternating currentsource is employed, the generating circuit is coupled through atransformer, as indicated at D, with a circuit containing a spark gap S,the latter being shunted by a Specification of Letters Patent. Patented,Feb, 20, 1917,

Application filed December 27,1909. Serial No. 534,978.

C, and inductance, and this circuit I will,

hereinafter refer to as a primary oscillating ClI'Clllt. This primaryoscillating circuit is suitably coupled, inductively or otherwise, asthrough the inductance coils L, with a lecting resistance,

in which I, is the wave length of the circuits before coupling, and K,is the coupling factor 'whose value is an I In Fig. 2 I have shown theform of the oscillations set up in the primary circuit I, and in Fig. 3I have shown'the form of oscillations induced or set up in the coupledsecondary circuit II. An examination of in this respect my invention isnot to be circuit I, containing capacity, indicated at so that,commencin these diagrams reveals the fact that in the beginning when aspark I discharge takes place in circuit I there is no energy incircuit-II and consequentlythe'oscillations in in circuit IIcommence-with zero value. The

energy in the primary oscillating circuit I,

however, sets up oscillations in circuit II, with zero value at thebeginning, the amplltudes of the oscillations in circuit II increase, asthe correspondin amplitudes of the oscillationsin circuitr z decrease,thereby producing beats, the:

ergy in circuit II influencing the circuitl and again setting uposcillations therein, but

of diminished value to the extent of the, damping that takes placein'the transfor mation from the one circuit to the other.

These resulting oscillations of. diminished energy commenceat'zero Valueof amplitude and build up again in amplitude, in circuit I asv theoscillationsin circuit 11'. diminish in amplitude, but. themaximum valueofthe oscillations of the second beat in circuit I with'each other,oscillation beats. may be is less than the maximum value of theoscilcircuit II, but also of correspondingly rejduced maximum amplitude,and so on, till 1 is at zero value in circuit II, the maximum theoscillations'inboth circuits are finally reduced to an infinitesimalvalue. ample, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, at the instants of timeindicated at U, T T etc., the energy is concentratedin circuit I andvalue of the energy in circuit I at the point T being less than at thepoint U and being less' at point T than at point T and so on. At theinstants of time indicated at T T T etc., the energy is concentrated-incircuit II and is at zero value in .circuitI, the maximum value of theenergy in circuit II, being greater at point of time T than at point oftime T and greater at T, than at T and so on.v If, however, the naturalperiods of the.

two circuits I and II, are not in resonance produced which are imperfectand irregular innature, and the energy. which is transferred back andforth between the two 1.80

coupled circuits, is only a lesser part of the entire'discharged energy.I

In the foregoing consideration it is assumedthat the spark gap acts asan ordinary conductor and retains itsconductivity until the. energyofthe discharge has been entirely dissipated. This condition isapproximated as the metal of the spark gap electrodes becomes vaporizedor as the quantity of current discharged through the spark gap isgreater and the thermo con ductivity of the materials employed for thespark gap electrodes is smaller. In practice these characteristics andconditions of the spark gap are never fully attained as is demonstratedby the familiar experiment showing that therealways remains residualcharge in a Leyden jar after discharging the same through a spark gap,which residual charge is capable of being discharged b reducingthelength of the spark gap. 'Cbnsequently, in practice, after a dischargeof the condenser through the. spark gap, such a condition of highresistance is created at the spark gap as to destroy its conductivityand its capacity to act as a conductor for the current before thedischarge energy has been entirely dissipated, thereby,

in eflect, snapping off the further flow of current across the spark gapwhen the current-intensity falls below a certain value. This property ofthe spark gap of snapping oil the further flow of current thereacrosswhen the current intensity-falls .to a certain value has theefl'ect incoupled systems of opening the primary circuit at the For ex-' points oftime indicated at T1, T8, r (Fig.-

2), or at later similar periods of time, when the strength of thecurrent in the primary circuit falls to'zero, and the energy is justbeing-concentrated in the secondary circuit, thereby, by opening theprimary circuit, preventing the return or back flow of energy, atreduced intensity, from the secondary into the primary circuit. From themoment of this snapping offof the ourrent at the spark gap, or theresulting opening of the primary circuit, the secondary circuit takes upan independent oscillation, uninfluenced to any appreciable degree bythe coupling thereof to the rimary circuit, the character of theoscillatlons therein being changed so that the two coupled waves .1,"and X disappear and the free oscillation I alone, of the secondarycircuit takes place, this freeoscillation, being of slowly *damped formand depending on the natural period of the secondary circuit. In Fig. 4,I have shown the form of oscillation in the secondary circuit when theopening of the primary circuit, or snapping off action of the spark gap,occurs at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in the primarycircuit, that'is, at the instant of time indicated by T in Fig. 2, atwhich the current amplitude in the primary circuit has fallen to zero.From this point on the free oscillations in the secondary circuitcontinue in the form of slowly damped waves, as indicated in Fig. 4. InFig. 5 I have shown the form of oscillation in thesecondary circuit whenthe opening of theprimary circuit, or snapping ofl action of the sparkgap, occurs at the end of the second beat of the oscillations intheprimary circuit, that is, at instant of time indicated at T in Fig. 2,-and from this time on the oscillations in the secondary circuit areslowly damped free oscillations, commencing with an amplitude diminishedas compared with the amplitude of the freeoscillations in said circuitwhen the snapping ofi of the spark gap occurred at the end of the firstbeat of the oscillations in the primary circuit." Consequently theearlier the primary circuit is opened, after a spark discharge takesplace, that is the earlier the spark is snapped oil, as above explained,the stronger will be the initial free oscillations in the secondarycircuit, as compared with the oscillations of the coupled systems.Should the spark gap snap ofi' afterthe first beat in the primarycircuit, that is at the instant of time indicated by reference letter Tthen the coupled wave practically. disappears and the naturaloscillation alone remains, provided the coupling of the systems issufficiently strong. On the other hand, if the spark does not snap offuntil a later. period of time in the succession of beats, then itscoupled waves become more powerful and the free oscillations in thatcase can be culty.

In Fig. 6, I have shown the resonance curve of the coupled system wherethe spark snaps- From the foregoin considerations it will be seen thatin practical operation it is ,de-

sirable that the spark snaps ofi', or is quenched, or, in anotherexpression of the idea, that the primary circuit is opened, at a theinstant when the current amplitude first reaches zero value in theprimary circuit,

or at the spark gap, and that the duration of in the primary circuitwith corresponding reduction of the energy in the primary circuit tosubstantially zero value as indicated by the diagrams, in which case themaximum of efliciency is attained in the transformation of energy fromthe primary to the secondary. circuit.

In successfully accomplishing the rapid transfer of energy from theprimary to the secondary circuit, in accordance with my invention, Iproposeto utilize, in practice, and in some forms of embodiment ofapparatus, the general principles familiarly, employed in the productionof undamped electrical oscillations by the arc method, with certainmodifications thereof, as will be pointed out hereinafter. I

In the practical attainment of the objects, purposes and, advantages ofmy invention, many specifically different constructions and.arrangements of spark-gap terminals may, be employed, and having theproperty or characteristic of opening the primary circuit, or snapplngofl", asv above explained.

In Fig. 7 ,I have shown such a spark gap.

in which are employed'hollow electrodes 21,

22, containing water, as shown. With this arrangement it willbe evidentthat the temperature of the electrodes will not exceed the boiling pointof water.

In Fig. 8, I have lshown an arrangement wherein the electrodes 23,extend into an air tight chamber 24. By thus excluding the oxygen, ofthe air from the spark gap terminals, the surface of the electrodes isprevented from oxidizing, and since oxidization interferes with theconduction of the heat developed in the electrodes, I have found it veryimportant to keep the surfaces of the electrodes free from oxid'. I mayalso,

if desired, maintain the spark gap in an atmosphere of a gas, org'aseouscompound,

or mixture possessinga -high thermal conductivity, suchfor instance ashydrogen gas, thechamber, as 24, being filled w th such gas, compound ormixture.

In Fig. 9 I have shown another arrangement of spark gap suitable for usein car;

observed only with diet;

the surface area of the electrodes. case the electrodes or spark gapterminals,

rying my invention into'practical use, wherein the spark gap terminals,or electrodes 25, are presented toward each other in the lower or coldportion of a flame 26. I have found an alcohol flame suitable for thepurpose, but do not wish to be limited in this 'respect, as, instead ofan alcohol flame, I may use any combustible mixture containing hydrogen.

In Fig. 10, I have shown a plurality of spark gaps with the electrodes27 thereof connected up in series.

In Fig. 11, -I have shown a plurality of spark gaps arranged within anairtight chamber 28, into which the terminals or objects and purposes ofmy invention, wherein the desired dissipation of heat and artificlalcooling is accomplished by increasing In this are in the form of disks,31, separated from each other by'an insulating washer 30, interposedtherebetween, said disks having extended heat radiating or dissipatingsurfaces.

In Fig. 13, I have shown a plurality of such disks 32, superposed theone upon another, and each separated'from the next adjacent one oneither side thereof by insulating washers 33.

Fig. 14 shows a plurality disks .34,

superposed upon but separated from each other by insulating washers 35,the. disks being held between two clamp heads 36, 37 l V with heavyinsulation 38 interposed between the'cla-mp heads and outer disks, saidheads being held together by a central rod 39,

passing centrally through the disks but insulated therefrom by theinsulating sleeve 40..

I have found it preferable to employ electrodes having a high thermalconductivity,- such as silver, copper, gold or bronze.v

In the case of the disk form of electrode,

as shown in. Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive, each disk may be provided with agroove'4l, see Figs. 12 and 12,, on each face thereof, said groovesbeing concentric with the geometric center of the disk, and outside ofthe grooves 41, the disks may have a narrow flat ortion 42, and itis'between these flat peripheral portions that the insulating washers'30, 33, 35, are interposed, thereby leaving the central portions of thedisks very slightly separated from each other, as indicated at 43, toform the spark gap. Beyond or outside of the bearing portions 42, thedisks are provided with extended peripheral flanges 44, which, ifdesired, may; be of decreasing thicknessou'twardly. By this constructionof disk electrodes, it will be seen that -I most eflicient manner.

secure the desired functioning of the electrodes, in accomplishing thesnapping off, or

quenching, of the spark discharge, or opening of" the primary c1rcuit,-in accordance with the principles of my invention, and in a.

In all cases the spark gap between the electrodes should be very short.

While I have shown various specific forms of electrodes and arrangementsthereof as operative embodiments of the principles of my invention, I donot desire to be limited or restricted, in the broad-scope of myinvention, as defined in the;claims, to any specific form, construction,or arrangement of the electrodes, .and many other specific structures ofelectrodes might be employed without departure from my invention;

In carrying into practical operation various circuit arrangements may beemployed. Thus, in Fig. 15, I have shown a plurality of spark gaps F,fed from a suitable source of current, which may be either'a directcurrent source or an alternating current source. In the particular formshown an alternating current generator M, is employed. The'spark gapF-is shunted by a circuit containing capacity, such as a'condenser C,and an inductance, such as a self induction coil S in series with eachother, after the 'usual scheme of radio telegraphic arrangement. Inpractice, I prefer toemploy an adjustable or variable self inductance SThe antenna A may be associated with and coupled to the oscillatingsystem which includes the spark gap, in any suitable or well knownmanner. In Fig. 15, I have shown the antenna system conductivelycoup'ledwith the inductance S and, if desired, an adjustable or variableself induction S may also be included in the antnna system. Also, ifdesired, a. current measuring instrument, suchas a hot wire or otherconvenient form of ammeter indicated at J may be included in the antennacircuit. In practice, I propose to employ a current source having apotential such as is readily capable of breakingdowm or effecting' adisruptive discharge across the air space or spaces of the spark gap,and I have found a voltage of from 1000lto.100,000'

suitable for my purposes. v

In Fig. 16, I have shown a w re d1agram in which the antenna A, isinductlvely associated or coupled with the priinaryoscillating circuit,as by lnductivelyassjocl'atlng the coilsS S Inthis case I also show analternating current source M, the generating circuit carrying thecurrent from the source M, being coupled to the primary 0s cillatingcircuit through a transformer P.

In this: case I have also shown the conoperating group's.

gamers I denser G and multiple spark gap F, transposed as comparedwithithe' arrangement shown in Fig. 15. 1

In Fig. 17,1 have shown a usual form of circuit connections for radiotelephony, employing a source of direct current, indicated at- M, andcontaining resistance or choke coils L L in the leads thereof. Amultiple spark gap F, has its terminals connected in the circuit of thesource of current, and this spark gap is shunted by an oscillatingcircult containing a condenser E, and inductance S The antenna A, isinductively associated with the primary oscillating circuit, through{coils S S and a microphone T, is connected in series in the groundedside of the antenna circuit.

In Fig. 18, I have shown a modification of the arrangement of Fig. 17,wherein an intermediate circuit R, having a low dampprlmary oscillatingcircuit and the antenna, otherwise the arrangement remains the same asabove described with reference to Fig. 17, the intermediate circuit Bbeing inductively associated with the primary oscillating circuitthrough coils S S and the antenna bein inductively associated with theintermedlate circuit B, through coils S S The intermediate circuit Rcontains a condenser C in the usualmanner. p

In Fig. 19, I have shown-an arrangement whereby a plurality ofcondensers C are .charged in parallel and discharged in series changethe wave length. Of course it is to .be understood that the antenna iscoupled to each of these induction coils S In Fig. 20 I have shown anarrangement of three phased alternating current generator and the sparkgaps and condensers coupled up in three corresponding and co- With thisarrangement when one spark gap has just finished discharging, and whilethe potential of the ing' coeflicient is interposed between the machineis momentarily below the discharge voltage, one of the other spark gapswill perform its function. 3

In the art of wireless or radio telephony it is of great importancethat'the individual "condenser discharges follow each other closelythereby increasing the audible fre-' quency to such a point that it willno longer produce a maternal disturbance in the telelphone atthereceiving" station; I am con:

vinced that it is not necessary to increase this group frequency so asto approach the limit of audition since it, is possible to dispropose toemploy the-following methods A. Bythe diminution of noise by the use ofalternating currents .ofseveral thousand cycles, say 5000 or more persecond, and also by the production of a large number of partialdischarges from each cycle.

B. By employing a direct current of high potential, say of "1000 or morevolts, and since direct current machines cannot beoperated to secure ordeliver potentials higherthan. about'8000 volts, I propose to use themethod-in which a plurality of condensers are employed, said condensersbeingcharged in parallel and discharged in series, as indicated in Fig.19.

C. To use three phase alternating current and connect the spark gaps inthree groups accordingly, so that when one spark gap has just finisheddischarging andwhile the potential of the machine is momentarily belowthe discharge voltage, one or the other spark gaps will properlyfunction.'

In all cases we have on-hand a method for producing the required numberof discharges per second. This-I propose to do by, regulating the sourceof current. ,Should one, for example, employ a're'sonance transformeroperated by alternating currents, it is possible to get'along with lessdischargesper second, as is customary in the old spark telegraphicmeth'ods. By the use of an alternating current generatorof severalhundred or thousand cycles, I am enabled to produce a pleasant,musicalnote in the re- .ceiving station and can finally bring thesucceeding discharges of the condenser so close together that we passbeyond the'limit. of human audition. 1

- In order to get the required number of discharges per second it isevident that 7 there must be neans at hand by which the I potential towhich the condensers are charged can be regulated.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that, in accordance withthe method embodying the principles of my invention,

- by opening the primary oscillating circuit through the snapplng ofi of...the*-spark .dis-

charge at the instant the current amplitude at the spark gap attainszero value in a system employing coupled or inter-related circuits I amenabled to-produce slowly damped radiations which give a high musicalnote in the receiver, capable of being readily and easily distingulshednotwithstanding ordinary interference, and by opening the primaryoscillating circuit or' snapping ofl' the sparkdischarge at the instantthe current amplitude in saidcircuit,

, or at the spark gap, first attains zero value,

or at the end of the first beat of the oscil- ,lation I am. enabled toexcite, radiate and utilize slowly damped Waves of maximum energy, andby increasing the rate of condenser discharge, or spark discharge, I amenabled to produce slowly "damped wave trains which approach and finallypass the limit of audition, and which, therefore, even if within therange/of audibility, are capable of being utilized for accomplishing thetransmission of articulate speech.

Having thus set forth the object and nature of my invention, and variousmeans and arrangements, whatI claim as new and useful, and of my owninvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,"

1. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, acoupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and adjusted to causea rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit and toproduce substantially zero. value of current amplitude in the pri-. marycircuit at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in the primarycircuit and a short spark gap. in the primary circuit formed-to rapidlydissipate the heat gener= ated therein, whereby the spark is quenchedand the primary circuit opened at the end of the first beat and useful,powerful, slowly damped free oscillations are produced. in

the secondary oscillating circuit and the two coupled oscillationspractically'disappear.-

2. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating'circuits, means foropening the primary oscillating circuit so-quic'kly-that thereby'useful,

powerfulland slowly damped free oscilla-.

tions in the secondaryoscillating circuit are produced and the twocoupled oscillations are of no practical efiect, comprising a couplingbetween said circuits sufiiciently strong and adjusted to cause a rapid"decrease of the oscillations in the primary ClI- cuitand to producesubstantially zero value of current amplitude in the primary circuit anda short spark gap in the primary circuit' formed to rapidly dissipatethe heat developed therein. I

3. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, means foropening the primary oscil- 'lating circuit so quickly that therebyuseful,

powerful and slowly damped free oscillations in the secondaryoscillating circuit are produced and the two coupled oscillations are ofno practical effect, comprising a coupling between said circuitssufliciently strong and adjusted to cause a rapid decreasevof theoscillations in the primary circuit and to produce substantially zerovalue of current amplitude in the primary circuit and a short spark gaphaving electrodes of high thermal conductivity in the primary circuitformed to rapidly dissipate the heat developed therein.

4. In an apparatus fordevelopin'g powerj ful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, means foropening the primary oscillating circuit so quickly that thereby use:ful, powerful and slowly damped free oscillations in the secondaryoscillating circuit are produced and the two coupled oscillations are ofno practical effect, comprising a coupling between said circuitssufficiently strong and adjusted to cause a rapid decrease of theoscillations in the primary circuit and. to produce substantially zerovalue of current amplitude in the primary circuit and a short spark gaphaving metal electrodes of extended surface and high thermalconductivity in the primary circuit formed to rapidly dissipate the heatdeveloped therein.

5. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, acoupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and. adjusted tocause arapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit andtoproducesubstantially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in the primarycircuit and a short air-tight spark gap in the primary circuit formed torapidly dissipate the heat generated therein, whereby the spark isquenched and the primary circuit opened at the end of the first beat anduseful, powerful, slowly damped free oscillations are produced in thesecondary oscillating circuit and the two coupled oscillationspractically disappear. j v

6. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating. circuits, acoupling between said circuits suf- 'ficiently strong and adjusted tocause a rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary c1rcu1t and toproduce substantially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in-the primarycircuit and a plurality of short air-tight spark gaps formed to rapidlydissipate the heat generand the primary circuit opened at the end of thefirst beat and useful, powerful, slowly damped .free oscillations areproduced in the secondary oscillating. circuit and the two coupledoscillations practically disappear.

'7. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, acoupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and adjusted to causea rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit and toproduce substantially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit at the end of the first beat ofthe oscillations in the primarycircuit and a plurality of short spark gaps connected in series in theprimary circuit formed tov rapidly dissipate the heat generated therein,whereby the spark is quenched and the primary circuit opened at the endof the first beat and useful, powerful, slowly damped free oscillationsthe secondary oscillating circuit and the two coupled oscillationspractically disappear.

8. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits, means forsupplying alternating current to the primary circuit, means forregulating the potential of the current supplied to the primary circuitto secure a regular spark frequency, a coupling between said circuitssufficiently strong and adjusted to cause a rapid decrease of theoscillations in the primary circuit and to produce substantially zerovalue of current amplitude in the primary circuit, and a short spark gapin the prim'arycircuit formed to ,rapidly dissipate the heatgenerated inthe means for supplying energy to the primary oscillating circuit, acoupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and adjusted to causea rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit and toproduce substan tially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in the primarycircuit and a short spark gap in the primary circuit formed to rapidlydissipate-the heat developed in the gap whereby the spark is quenchedand the primary circuit opened at the end'of the first beat and useful,powerful, slowly damped free oscillations are produced in the secondaryoscillating circuit disappear, and means for, regulating the potentialof the source of energy supplied to the'primary circuit in order to getthe desired group frequency of oscillations to pro-i duce a. clear notewithin the-limit of audibility.

10. In an apparatus the primary circuit having aregular group frequency,a coupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and adjusted tocause a rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit and toproduce substantially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit at the end of the first beat of the oscillations in the primarycircuit and a short spark gap in the primary circuit.

formed to rapidly dissipate the heat generated therein, whereby thespark is quenched and the primary circuit opened at the end of the firstbeat and useful, powerful, slowly damped free oscillations are producedin the secondary oscillating circuit and the twocoupled oscillationspractically disappear.

11. In an apparatus for developing powerful electricaloscillationsfcomprising coupled primary and secondary oscillatingcircuits, means for regulating the frequency of ,one of said oscillatingcircuits, and means for opening the primary oscillating circuit soquickly that thereby useful, powerful and slowly damped freeoscillations in the secondary oscillating circuit are produced and thetwo coupled oscillations are of no practical effect, comprising acoupling between said circuits sufficiently strong and adjusted to causea rapid decrease of the oscillations in the primary circuit and toproduce substantially zero value of current amplitude in the primarycircuit and a short spark gap in the primary circuit formed to rapidlydis-- sipate the heat developed therein.

12. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising coupled primaryrand secondary oscillating circuits, means forpreventing oscillations in the secondary circuit from reacting on theprimary circuit after the first beat ofthe oscillations in the primarycircuit, whereby powerful and slowly damped oscillations of a singlefrequency are produced in the secondary circuit and the two coupledoscillations are of no practical'efi'ect. i

- 13. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillationscomprising closely coupled primary and secondary oscillating circuits,means for preventing retransfer from the secondary circuit of energyreceived from the primary circuit, wherebypowerful and slowly dampedoscillations of a single frequency are produced in the secondarycircuit-and-the two coupled oscillations are of no practical effect.

14; In a transmitting apparatus for radio a communication, analternating source of energy, a closed osclllatlo'n clrcu-it fed fromsaid source and contaming aseries divided spark gap constructed torapidly for developing pow-v erful electrical oscillations comprisingprimary and secondary oscillating circuits, c means for excitingelectrical oscillations in dissipate the heat generated in the gap, andan antenna circuit, saidcircuits being closely coupled and adjusted tocause a rapid and substantially complete transfer to' the antennacircuit of the energy produced in' the closed circuit, whereby the sparkis quenched to prevent the return of .energy from the antenna circuit tothe closed circuit and powerful slowly damped oscillations of singlerfre'quency are produced in the antenna circuit and thetwo coupledoscillations of the coupled circuits'are of no practical effect.

15. In a transmitting apparatus forradio communication, an alternatingcurrent source of energy, a closed oscillation circuit current fed fromsaid source and containing a series divided spark gap'constructed torapidly dissipate the heat generated in the gap, an

antenna c rcuit in resonance wlth said closedin the closed circuit,means for causing said groups of oscillations in said closed circuit tobe uniformly spaced and to correspond in frequency to the alternationsof current 'fed to the closed circuit, whereby the return of energy fromthe antenna circuit to said closed circuit is prevented and powerfulslowly damped oscillations. of single frequency are produced in andradiated from the antenna circuit having a regular group frequency andcapable of producing in the telephone of the receiving apparatus a clearmusical tone.

16. In an apparatus for developing pow-.-

erful electrical oscillations, the combination with inter-relatedoscillating circuits comprising a primary oscillating circuitand asecondary oscillating circuit coupled to- 'gether, of means for quicklyopening the primary inter-related oscillating circuit, at the end of thefirst beat, permitting the cur-. rent to passin either direction andcompris ing a short spark-gap provided with electrodes of high thermalconductivity and a source of electrical current having a potentialcapable of quickly effecting a disruptive discharge across thespark-gap, and the coupling of said inter-related oscillating "'cii.cuits being sufliciently strong and adjusted to secure such opening ofthe said oscillating I circuit, whereby powerful, slowly damped freeoscillations in thesecondary oscillating circuit are produced and thecoupled waves practically disappear, substantially. aside scribed.

. 17. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillations,the combination.

with inter-related oscillating circuits. comprising a primaryoscillating Circuit and a secondary oscillating circuit coupled together, having their natural periods in tune with each other, of meansfor quickly opening'the primary. oscillating-circuit, at the instant ofzero current therein, permitting the current to pass in either directionand comprising a short spark-gap provided with electrodes of highthermal conductivity and a source of electrical current having apotential capable of quickly effecting a disruptive discharge across thespark-gap, and said coupled inter-related oscillating-circuits beingprovided with coupling varying means and the coupling of said circuitsbeing sufli-' 7 ,ciently "strong and adjusted to Secure such ifcpeningof the said oscillating circuit, whereby powerful, slowly dam ed freeoscillations in the secondary oscillating circuit are produced and thecoupled waves practically disappear, substantially as described.

1 8. Inlan apparatus for developing power;ful electrical oscillations,the combination Ti'with'jcoupl'ed oscillating circuits comprising. aprimary oscillating circuit and a secondary oscillating circuit andmeans for exciting oscillations in the primary circuit, of means forquickly interrupting the coupled effect of said circuits to permit thesecondary circuit freely to oscillate, permitting the current to passineither direction and comprising a short spark-gap provided withelectrodes of high thermal conductivity and a source of electricalcurrent having a potential capable of quickly effecting a disruptivedischarge across the spark-gap, and said cou led oscillatingcircuits'being rovided wit coupling varying means and t e coupling ofsaid circuits being sufliciently strong to secure such quickinterruption of the coupled effect of said circuits, whereby powerful,slowly damped free oscillations in the secondary oscillating circuitareproduced and the coupled waves practically disappear, substan tiallyas described. i

19. In an apparatus for developing pow- 1 erful electrical oscillations,the combination With-a primaryoscillating' circuit and a secondaryoscillating circuit, said'circuits being coupled together, of means forexciting electrical oscillations having'a group frequency below theupper. limit of audibility in one I of said circuits, and means forquickly opening said excited circuit, permitting the current to pass ineither direction and compris-' ing a short spark-gap provided withelectrodes of-high thermal conductivity and a source of electricalcurrent having a potential capable of quickly efi'ecting adisruptivedischarge across thespark-gap, and the coupling of said interrelatedoscillatin circuits being sufliciently strong and ad3ust'ed to securesuch opening of the said oscillating said inter-related oscillatingcircuits circuit, whereby pow f l go y damped free oscillations in thesecondary oscillating clrcul t are produced and theoupled-gwavespractlcally' disappear, substantially fans described.

20. In an apparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillations, thecomblnation with coupled electrically oscillating circuits havingnatural periods in resonance with each other, of means for excitingelectrical oscillations in one of said circuits, and means for qulcklyopening the excited circuit after the first beat ofthe oscillationstherein to permit the other circuit tofloscillate in accordance with itsfree period, comprising a short spark-gap formed to rapidly dissipateheat generated therein and a source of electrical current having apotential capable of quickly .efi'ecting a disruptive. discharge acrossthe spark-gap, and the coupling of said inter-related oscillatingcircuits being sufliciently strong and adjusted to secure such openingof the said oscillating circuit,

'whereby powerful, slowly damped free oscillations in the secondaryoscillating circuit are produced and the coupled waves practicallydisappear, substantially as described.

21. Inanapparatus for producing slowly damped electrical oscillations,the combination with coupled electrically oscillating circuits, of athree-phased alternating current source for supplying energy to one ofsaid circuits, said excited circuit having means for quickly snappingofi the spark discharge in and opening said circuit consisting of sparkgaps correspondin in number and relative connection to the t ree phasesotvthe alternating current source, the coupling-got 111g sufficientlystrong and adjusted to'causg- -q -uch openin of the said oscillatingcircuit, substantia ly as described. v

22. In a system of wireless communication, apoly-phase alternatingcurrent source,

an oscillating circuit fed from each phase circuit of the source, eachoscillating circuit ciated v with the oscillatingPcircuits, and 1 meansfor preventing oscillations in the antennacircuit from-reacting'on theoscillating circuits. a 25. In a system QiWIIGlQSS communication, apoly-phase alternating current source, an oscillating circuit associatedwith each phase circuit, and means for producing and radiating trains ofpowerful slowly damped electromagnetic wavesof single frequency from theoscillations in the oscillating circuits. 7 v

26. In a system of wireless communication a poly-phase alternatingcurrent source, an oscillating circuit associatedfwith each phasecircuit, means for roducing-in said oscillating circuits osclllations ofrapidly decreasing amplitude, and means for utilizing said oscillationsof rapidly decreasing amplitude' for producing and radiatingelectromagnetic waves.

27. A wireless telephone transmitting sys tem, including a sourceofalternating current supply having a frequency below the upper audiblelimit, and a multiple spark gap, and means for modifying the radiatedwaves from such system by and in accordance with sound waves v 28. Awireless telephone transmitting system including a source of alternatingcurrent supply to a quenched spark gap, the alternating current having afrequency below the upper audible limit, in combination with means formodifying the generated oscillations by and in accordance with soundwaves.

29. A wireless telephone transmitting system, having means for radiatingslowly damped wav es of audible group frequency,- and means formodifying the radiated waves by and'in accordance with, soundvibrations.

- 30. A wireless telephone transmitting system for radiating slowlydamped waves of audible group frequency and including a transmitterdevice associated with said circuit to modify the oscillations thereinby and in accordance with sound vibrations.

31. A wireless telephone transmitting system, comprising coupled primaryand secondary oscillating circuits, -means for supplying to the primarycircuit an alternating current having a frequency below the upperaudible limit, a coupling between said circuits sufficiently-strong andadjusted to cause a rapid decrease in the oscillations in the primarycircuit and to produce substantially zero value of current) amplitude inthe primary circuit, and a plurality of short air-tight spark gapsformed to rapidly dissipate the heat generated therein connected inseries in the primary circuit,

.whereby the spark is quenched and the primary circuit opened at the endof the first beat and slowly damped free oscillations are produced inthe secondary oscillating cirfrom said source and including ashortspa'rk-gap formed to rapidly dissipate the heat generated therein,and means associated with said oscillating circuit adapted to producebeats through the spark gap causing a rapid decrease of the oscillationsthrough the gap with reduction of the amplitude of the oscillationsofthe currentv passing therethrough to substantiallyzero value at the endof a beat and said means providing a second oscillating circuitreceiving energy from the first said circuit,

whereby the first said circuit will be opened at the end of the firstbeat of the oscilla tions through the spark gap and powerful slowlydamped oscillations will result in the second said circuit.

33. In anapparatus for developing powerful electrical oscillations, asource of electrical energy, an oscillating circuit fed from said sourceand including a short spark-gap formed to rapidly dissipate the heatgenerated therein, and means asso-' ciated with said oscillating circuitadapted to produce beats through the spark gap caus- .ing a rapiddecrease of the oscillations through the gap with reduction of theamplitude of the oscillations of the current high frequency circuit, anda telephone passing therethrough to substantially zero value at the endof a beat and said means providing a second oscillating circuit re- Intestimony whereof: I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of thesubscribing witnesses, on this 17th day of December l GEORGE SEIBT.

Witnesses:

ISABEL LEVINSON, O. C. HUNIQKE.

